Grab-And-Use Exercise Strap

ABSTRACT

A stretching exercise tool of the infinity ∞ sign shape. The stretching strap made of resilient fabric material is properly sized for grab-and-use. Metal or plastic buckles or other set-ups are eliminated. Machine washable and highly portable.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/486,449, filed on May 16, 2011, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The present application relates to a device for assisting body exercise,and more particularly to a ready-to-use exercise strap for bodystretching, yoga poses and other dancing poses.

Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gainedfrom the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to beprior art.

As yoga poses and exercises become more popular body stretching as partof exercise program has increased in recent years. For yoga practice,each yoga pose requires correct posture and stretching, mostly theproper placement of the arms and the legs relative to the body position.Body stretching is not an easy task for adults with rigid grown-upbodies. To achieve a good stretch effect on the muscle, certain amountof resistance strength is also required. Various exercise tools havebeen used in aiding people to achieve stretching and various bodypositions. For example, people may use a towel, an elastic belt to helphold a stretching posture.

Other commercial endeavors have developed various complex tools. Forexample US 2009/089459 A1 describes a multi-functioning leg stretchingdevice that includes a positioning seat, a retaining block, a windingaround elastic strap, a pedal and an anchoring plate. It would not beeasy to move it around. US 2005/0101461A1 describes a device withbuilt-in stretch resistance with latex tubes and pushup blocks. But thedevice is still bulky. A simpler design is found in US 2005/0085350 A1wherein an adjustable loop is connected to a handle by a swivelconnector. But some people do hate handles and a disconnected handle mayget lost.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses novel and simple grab and use devicefor body stretching exercises with added resilient strength.

In one embodiment, a non-elastic stretchable fabric strip of highresistance twists across at a specific point of the strip with endsaffixed together forming a number 8-like sealed loop wherein thecross-point is fixed by stitching the crossing sections together.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the size of the two loops aredetermined by a specific stretching resistance strength requirement.

In one aspect of the embodiment, two strips of high resistancestretchable fabric are twisted to cross each other at a specific point,with ends affixed together forming a sealed 8-like loop, wherein thecross point and the size of the loops are determined by the requiredstretching resistance strength and a user's body size.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the cross point is affixed by pluralityof buttons wherein the relative sizes of the loops are adjustable bymatching of different pairs of buttons.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the fabric is made of a hybrid materialof nylon and rubber that stretches with high resistance and stopsstretching after stretching to a certain point.

The disclosed innovation, in various embodiments, provide the advantagesof being highly affordable, ready-to-use, light weight and highmobility. It can be carried in a purse or a pocket, washed with regularwash machine and stored on a hanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed application will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show example preferred embodiments, namelyInfinity Strap™, of this application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an InfinityStrap™ in accordance with this application.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example cross-point of the twoloops in FIG. 1 in accordance with this application.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E illustrate examples of size readiness andgrab-and-use easiness in accordance with this application.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a back stretching with an exampleInfinity Strap™.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hand and leg stretching with anexample Infinity Strap™.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of body stretching with an example InfinityStrap™.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of shoulder stretching with an exampleInfinity Strap™.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments(by way of example, and not of limitation). The present applicationdescribes several embodiments, and none of the statements below shouldbe taken as limiting the claims generally.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and description anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, some areas orelements may be expanded to help improve understanding of embodiments ofthe invention.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and the claims, if any, may be used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,”“include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to covernon-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article,apparatus, or composition that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elementsnot expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,apparatus, or composition.

It is contemplated and intended that the design apply to a heavy duty,highly durable fabric material that is of high resilient strength, forexample, cotton, nylon or a hybrid material of nylon and rubber which isstretchable but only to an extent and stops stretching after that. Forclarity reason, the examples are given based on the hybrid material ofnylon and rubber, but an ordinary person in the art would know thevariations to modify the design to be suitable for other durablefabrics.

Often times in yoga, dance, gymnastics, strength training and physicaltherapy, there is need for props or aides to safely and properlystretch. One of those standard props is the yoga strap which is aroundeight feet long with a metal or plastic buckle. The traditional strap isgreat for a couple of restorative stretches, but quite cumbersome andawkward for most others. One of the problems is that it is just too longfor most uses. The extra length gets in the way, twists and wraps arounditself and the body, gets tangled, etc. The other big problem is themetal or plastic buckle. The buckle hurts when it comes in contact withone's hand or foot, and it makes a loud disturbing noise when it dropsto a hard floor, disrupting peaceful yoga practices. During a stretchingexercise, especially a yoga practice, it is one of the times of the dayto quiet one's mind and body and focus on one thing only, the last thingthe user wants is to be disturbed by an exercise tool.

The ∞ sign is one of the most elegant, timeless and simple symbols thatexists. It expresses an idea of endless motion. Different to otherdesigns Infinity Strap™ expressly utilizes this harmonious configurationand at the same time makes sure that it satisfies the resilient strengthrequirement, particularly the cross point between two loops are fixedwith fixtures such as stitches or buttons, allowing the resilientstrength of one loop stays at its side, and the resilient strength ofeach side to balance each other. The size of each Strap is particularlymeasured to match body-types and body-flexibility. Specific guidelinesare provided for selections of each type and design, making itgrab-and-use ready.

The design is also intended to express the perfect harmony of the idealsof Yoga. As Yoga emphasizes one's Breath as a primary focus duringpractice, the motion of the breath can be visualized as a flow in andout of the body that looks much like an endless loop, or ∞. The balanceddesign and function of an Infinity Strap™ helps a practitioner's entryinto a deeper feeling of Yoga. Embodiments of the present inventiongenerally provide an exercise strap for assisting yoga, stretching, andother exercise activities.

In reference to FIG. 1, an example Infinity Strap™ 10 comprises a fabricstrip 12 of 0.25-5 inches wide, 10-100 inches long, made of cotton,nylon or nylon/rubber hybrid material. First fabric end 12 a and secondfabric end 12 b may be first twisted one hundred eighty degrees around alongitudinal axis of the fabric, forming an FIG. 8 shaped two loops withtwo ends meeting at the across point. The across point may not be at thecentral point of the strip, depends of the need, the relative sizes ofthe two loops may be changed accordingly.

In reference to FIG. 2, the cross-point of the two loops are fixed withstrong stitches or buttons, allowing the resilient strength of each loopduring stretching exercise to be kept at its side and to be balancedwith the other side. To provide a strong hold at the cross point, firstfabric end 12 a may be affixed to a center fabric portion 12 c byfollowing the top surface of center fabric portion 12 c to the bottomsurface of center fabric portion 12 c. Second fabric end 12 b may beaffixed to center fabric portion 12 c by following the bottom surface ofcenter fabric portion 12 c to the top surface of center fabric portion12 c. First fabric end 12 a, second fabric end 12 b and center fabricportion 12 c may be affixed together with stitching 16 at location 14.Location 14 may not be at the central point of strip 12 length, therelative loop sizes may not be the same.

More than one sections or pieces of strips may be used be combined orconnected for variations in strength and design. Harder rubber likefabrics may be connected with a soft cotton fabrics for easy bending andtwist and esthetic elegance. Multiple layers of fabrics may be used foradded resilient strength.

In reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E, different sizes of Straps are designedto match different strength needs. For example, small to medium sizesare proper for small to medium body size and fair body flexibility.Large and extra large sizes are proper for larger body frame and fairbody inflexibility.

In reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, several example stretchingpostures are illustrated. This design serves several advantages. Becauseeach loop always stays open, the design makes it easy to slip over one'shand or foot. The design also makes it very easy and natural to form agood grip, following the natural contours of the body. It distributesthe pressure away from one's fingers more broadly over one's hand andwrist.

The design structure is strong and durable. The straps may be made ofheavy-duty natural cotton or nylon webbing that is pre-washed andavailable in any colors, or of high resistance nylon and rubber hybridwebbing material that stretches to a point and then stops, much like theway the human body stretches. They can be machine washed and dried.Also, since there are no metal or plastic buckles or any other partsthey are very natural and easy to use, eliminating set-up time. They arealso very safe and quiet when they come in contact with a hard floor orany other surface, and won't get tangled or bunched up.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovativeconcepts described in the present application can be modified and variedover a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope ofpatented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplaryteachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

None of the description in the present application should be read asimplying that any particular element, step, or function is an essentialelement which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTEDSUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none ofthese claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, andNO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, orabandoned.

1. An physical stretching exercise tool for humans, comprising: a firstloop made of a first resilient fabric strip, said first loop configuredto match body size and body flexibility; and a second loop made of asecond resilient fabric strip, said second loop configured to match bodysize and body flexibility; wherein said first loop and said second loopare twistedly configured to remain open, and said first loop and saidsecond loop are fixed together with a fixture that is configured tostand resilient stretch from both said first and said second loop. 2.The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first and said secondresilient fabric strip are one strip, and said first loop and saidsecond loop are formed by twisting and bending said one resilient fabricstrip that has a first end and a second end, and by fixing said firstand said second end at a cross-point.
 3. The exercise tool of claim 2,wherein said first end and said second end are sandwichedly stitchedtogether with a portion of the cross-point strip.
 4. The exercise toolof claim 2, wherein said first end and said second end are sandwichedlybuttoned together with a portion of the cross-point strip.
 5. Theexercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first loop and said second loopare formed by binding a plurality of fabric strips.
 6. The exercise toolof claim 1, wherein said first resilient fabric is made of cotton. 7.The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first resilient fabric ismade of a hybrid of nylon and rubber.